“After 185 posts spread over 4 exciting years,this post will be the last one to appear here at this web location. Far from being the end of our journey, its time to move to a new website address enabling more me space and more creativity “

” This site will remain here as a record of the joys of naturism but will not be updated from the 1st May 2015 “

Since Easter we’ve visited the club a further three times each time its got a little warmer, but really at no time could you ever say it was a heat wave. With temperatures mid way through last week (w/e 18th) hitting 25c we were hoping the forecast would be a little out and allow us some quality naked time. The forecast was for sun on all three days but with a north east wind this would mean it would be a little chilly under clear skies. This it proved to be although we did manage a little sunbathing it was just for an hour or two on Saturday afternoon.

The weekend was still wonderfully pleasant with hardly anyone about and with time to spare as well we got nearly all the jobs I wanted to do done. The chalets really coming on a treat and its a nice to spend weekends out of the city.Once again the best weather nearly always been mid week when everyone’s at work and it tales off as we reach Friday. During the following week I’m job hunting looking at all the election news, doing housework, getting supplies, thinking about more chalet renovations and occasionally going out for the odd walk. Hopefully soon Ginny’s back will be better and maybe we both can go out walking once again.

With all the warm weather around in the UK and in Ireland, stories continuously surface about naturist activities and whilst reading through some you still get the vibes that naturists are just seen as oddballs. Maybe its the people who write the stories that put the slant on what’s written,but in all our naturist travels, I’ve only ever met normal people acting normally, maybe its the people who think nudity is abnormal who are the real oddballs.

Scotland’s first official nudist camp is going to be held in a Dumfriesshire forest this summer.The clothes-free gathering is being organised by the Scottish branch of British Naturism.The organisation hopes the weekend of luxury camping – featuring hot tubs, tipis and a hog roast – will help to transform its image and dispel images of leaky chalets and rain-lashed volleyball courts.

In Ireland the recent spell of beautiful weather has brought the issue of naturists having their own beach, or section of beach into focus, and calls to legalise the practice are growing all the time. Naturism is common place in Europe and a debate is gaining momentum to have it legalised in Ireland. At present, people wishing to bare their essentials, are flouting the law and run the risk of being arrested. But is that fair? This group of people are not regarded as a threat to anyone, and they just want to practice their passion in private, but cannot do so in a public place like Donabate beach.Donabate has long had a reputation as a naturists’ haven, where people take to the secluded dunes to bare all in an effort to pursue their passion.

A Spanish naturist group is appealing to the European Court of Human Rights to defend the right to strip off on beaches in Catalunya. Reports that the town of Castell-Platja d’Aro to the north of Barcelona banned naturism on its beaches in 2009 to appease visiting families, a decision the Catalan Naturist Club has been fighting ever since. The ruling was upheld first at the regional high court in Catalunya, and then at Spain’s supreme court this week, leaving the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg as the final option of appeal for the naturists.

Its seems stupid that people are having to fight for their rights to be normal natural human beings, whilst the media manipulating multinational agencies create a sexually stimulated arena of models and the like, that is anything but natural.The last weekend in April came and went and again we took the opportunity to visit the club as it was a work party weekend. It was well attended and lots got done, so hopefully now,when the early summer sun really shines, we can all just sit back, relax and socialise and hopefully top up our all over tans.

These days people seem to need guidance in most things whether or not they actually asked for it. Maybe it’s down to the fact anything can now be found out on the internet and that people aren’t as inquisitive and resourceful as they once were. What I’m trying to say is its seems, it’s a case of “why should I try to change or create something when it’s already on the internet for me to use ?”Going out and finding out about new things and new experiences for oneself is far more rewarding than taking things as read, from the internet or even second hand from someone else. I recently reposted another how to guide from another source but I found it interesting that wiki-how actually has a page on “ How to Become a Nudist ” It’s maybe interesting to perspective first timers so I’ve recreated here “ How to Become a Nudist ” “Three Methods: Understanding Nudism, Practicing at Home, Joining Nudist Communities”. There are numerous advantages to the nudist lifestyle, including the pleasure of feeling the sun all over your body, no tan lines, and the healthy self-confidence that naturism reflects. Many people are ready to try nudism, yet don’t know how or where to practice it. Start with Step 1 below to increase your comfort with nudism and help you find ways and places to spend time nude

Recognize that nudity is natural. We are born naked and it is our natural state. Clothing keeps us warm and is often necessary to wear in public, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be worn at all times. There’s a time for letting your natural self just be. Imagine the freedom that will come with feeling the air and sun touch your skin everywhere, not just places that are normally exposed.

Step 2

Get to know the purpose of nudism. Nudism, also called naturism, is about more than the simple act of being nude; it’s also about getting closer to nature. In your natural state, there are no boundaries between yourself and the natural world. How freeing and exhilarating would it feel to lie naked on the beach, or under a tree, one with the natural world and comfortable in your own skin? People choose naturism to reach this particular height of happiness.

Step 3

Know that nudity isn’t always sexual. Yes, people have sex naked, but nudity itself does not have to be sexual. Revealing clothing is often more sexually suggestive than being totally naked, since it leaves more to the imagination. If you’re worried that becoming a naturist means you’re opening yourself up to unwanted sexual encounters, know that for many naturists, it’s about being free and natural, not lecherous. •Being a naturist is not about having public sex or exposing yourself to others. Many naturists are modest people who choose naturism for the above reasons, and not in order to sexually connect with people.

Method 2 of 3: Practicing at Home

Step 1

Sleep naked. Not topless or in your underwear, completely naked. Sleeping naked promotes relaxation and thus improves the quality of your sleep. On warm nights, sleep naked and skip bed-coverings, too, and see how good you feel fully exposed to the open air. If you find sleeping naked difficult, work your way up to it. Shed one piece of clothing, for example your pyjama top, and when you’re accustomed to sleeping without that, shed the next piece, and so on until you’re sleeping nude. Try opening a window near your bed (keeping the blinds closed) to let a breeze in. Remember that part of being a naturist is to feel closer to the natural world.

Step 2

Spend as much time as you can around the house naked. Stay naked after a shower. Towel dry and go about the rest of your routine naked. Advance to being naked while you’re eating, while you’re cleaning, and especially while you’re relaxing, be it in front of the TV, with a good book or sunning in your backyard. If you exercise at home, do it naked, unless it’s uncomfortable not to wear a sports bra. Remember to respect others’ boundaries when it comes to nudity. When you’re naked in your house, keep the blinds and curtains closed. Don’t sunbathe nude in the yard unless you have a high privacy fence.

Step 3

Talk to your partner about nudism. Being naked in a nonsexual way with your partner may take your intimacy to the next level, plus it means you’ll be able to stay naked when he or she is in the house. Discuss whether this is something you could explore together. If your partner isn’t into it, ask if he or she would be comfortable with you doing it by yourself.

Method 3 of 3: Joining Nudist Communities

Step 1

Locate a nudist community. An online search will help you locate your nearest nudist club or beach. Once you’re comfortable being naked at home, take the next step and visit the naturist community. Be sure you know the rules and expectations of the community before you go. Don’t let feelings of inadequacy hinder you. Once you visit a nudist community, you’ll realize that everyone is different in some way and that none of it is wrong. The visitors aren’t worrying about their bodies, or yours, they’re simply there to enjoy the pleasure of naturism in a friendly environment.Participate in online forums. These can be great resources for people who want to discuss the life of a naturist and swap information on good naturist destinations.

Step 2

Take a nudist holiday. France is an excellent nudist destination, famous for its nude beaches. If France is too far, closer to home you should be able to find clothing-optional resorts, natural mountain hot springs for nude soaking, and skinny-dipping spots.

Step 3

Continue to be naked whenever you can. Check out your local laws regarding being topless in public, including at parks, swimming pools and at the beach. Likewise, you can participate in one of the fun naked bike rides that take place the world over. Go nude where it is appropriate, hiking, nature reserves. Be comfortable with yourself and by experience one can go nude as long you don’t upset other people.

Here in this house we’re always looking at the weather forecast and hoping there’s good weather on the way. Once the clocks go forward, we look towards Easter and the chance to visit our club and start the lifestyle that is so in keeping with nature. Easter is one of those yearly occasions that always happens but is never in the same place so making plan around it can be illusive. It’s the first Sunday after the fourth full moon of the year,hence the reason Easter can move around by up to four weeks. Last year it was late Easter Sunday fell on April 20th this year it fell early being on the 5th.

So when Easter was suddenly upon us,just like last year I found myself with some jobs done and some with renovations still to do as the holiday period arrived. Spring is just the perfect time to head off for a long weekend, and a rural retreat makes a great option. A countryside naturist retreat offers the freedom to relax naked in peaceful surroundings,walking around through woodlands, wildlife-spotting, and discovering what tranquility the English countryside has to offer. The plan we had was to head over to the club on Good Friday and stay right through to Easter Monday afternoon and complete any outstanding work during the periods of glorious sunshine.

As last week approached we saw all our plans disappear right up the swany (up in smoke) as the dreaded rain arrived on Wednesday. Even so we were determined to relax finally out of the house, so we delayed our trip for 24 hours and headed off on Saturday morning. As with all first overnight visits we has to take all the bedding and such over, as well as the food so we ended up arriving at the club at around 10.30am. After saying hello to the only other people on site, we unpacked all the things we’d brought with us which also included a new blind for the window,three new indoor lights and also a new kettle.

It was touch and go whether the blind would fit as the box it came in was around 20cm longer than the blind,which when attached to the wall fitted with an inch to spare. Next were the lights which we had three,with wire so thin it became difficult to attach to the three different types of cable already installed.

Two worked perfectly, one didn’t probably because of faulty internal wiring but we put it up nevertheless. Once done we had a cuppa and lunch before heading on out for some beer and a new battery. By about 5pm it was all done so after making the bed, we stripped off and we headed to the sauna. The evening was spent in the company of Budweiser and Guinness and a game of trivial pursuit which I won 6-1.

Saturday night was cold ,ohhh so cold, but apart from the odd comfort break, passed uneventfully. Easter Sunday morning was spent doing the odd few jobs and after a meeting we relaxed in the afternoon sun, which had started to appear. It even got warm enough to strip off and watch the wildlife…two wood pigeons, two ducks and a noisy squirrels. Once we’d used up all the bread it was time for a game of pétanque…still naked of course,again I was the winner. The evening was glorious even though with clear skies it was cold, so it was back inside another sauna, dinner which was burgers and potato wedges,some more drinks and scrabble this time which I got trounced.

The night time was noisy with a far off banging, keeping us awake for most of the night. I did make sure that the banging was offsite in the bright early morning sunshine,which it was, but what it actually was I’ve no idea. Muffins again for breakfast, coffee for me, tea for her.

Last things to do before heading home,was moving a solar light and putting up a trickle feed solar panel, which will now have to wait till next weekend, as a extension lead is now required. I packed up the bedding, then found out that the bigger light fitting is now preventing the bed from closing”just typical”then we headed for home.

Its spring at last, so for the best part of a month our thoughts have been on returning to our naturist club here in England, while at the same time we’re hoping there’s lots of good summer weather to come. At some naturist clubs here in England there is no accommodation at all, at others just room for tents, others do have cabins/chalets, while the bigger ones allow tents, caravans and motorhomes. Our club comes in the middle category and spring is a time when chalet renovations take place. This normally means regular visits for most, but also it helps if you can adapt your chalet to most suit your own needs. Here’s a quick guide for a cabin, chalet or shed owner anyone in fact….naturist or not.

From the Outside……

Question to ask yourself !

How’s is your Chalet looking ?….The spring sunshine is wonderful, but it tends to highlight any winter damage and show up the tatty bits too. If the structure itself has suffered a little in the winter, you’ll need to get busy with restoration in spring before being able to relax during the summer.

How often should I paint my Chalet ?…Once a year is great, doing this can keep the exterior in good condition for many years after its sell-by date. The colour needs to be in keeping with the harmony of the surroundings area but that doesn’t necessarily mean just brown or green. While a multi coloured carnival design might get the thumbs down, there are many other colours and shades which would enhance the surroundings.

Going Inside……

Once we’ve restored our chalet to its pre-winter glory on the outside, how about transforming it on the inside. It’s amazing how colour can transform the inside of a chalet as we found out and it can be done relatively cheaply, with the offers that are around in the hardware stores right now. We didn’t just plump for White, Beige or Cream we went for a bright colour “Lime Green” and made it feel homely. Moving on to other ideas, blinds can be a better alternative to curtains giving it a modern feel. Having a foldaway bed can give you more space to relax in, should the weather turn for the worst and if you need a cuppa, camping stoves and fridges can give you a refreshment opportunity should you need an early morning cuppa.

Discount stores like Home Bargains, Poundland and Poundstretcher provide all sorts of furniture, décor, household and hardware items that are useful and inexpensive too, items such as Interior Dehumidifier at under £1 and storage racks at under £20. As with all renovations you can upgrade and spend more money, some club members already have solar panels fitted and these can vary in price and efficiency but they do provide renewable ‘free’ energy to power TV’s, radios, lights and heaters. All in all thoughtful renovations can turn your Cabin, Chalet or Shed into a ‘palace’ fit for many days enjoyment throughout the year.

Finally….

Even if you’re not a naturist you can still make that tatty old shed at the bottom of the garden into your own little hideaway and use some of the ideas I’ve mentioned here, so go on get out there.

Grid Connected System – A Solar PV system in which the array acts like a central generating plant, supplying power to the electricity grid. (Also Grid-Tie System and On-Grid)

Hybrid System – A Solar PV system that includes other sources of electricity generation, such as wind turbines, small hydro or diesel generators

Insolation – The solar radiation incident on an area over time. Equivalent to energy and usually expressed in kilowatt-hours per square metre

Inverter – In a Solar PV system an inverter converts Direct Current (DC) to alternating Current (AC)

Irradiance – The solar power incident on a surface. Irradiance is usually expressed in kilowatts per square metre. Irradiance multiplied by time equals insolation

I-V Curve – The plot of current versus voltage characteristics of a Solar PV cell, module or array. Three important points on the I-V curve are the opening-circuit voltage, short-circuit current and peak power operating point

Kilowatt (kW) – A unit of power equal to one thousand Watts

Load – Is the amount of electric power used by an electrical appliance at any given time

Maximum Power Point or Peak Power Point – That point on an I-V curve that represents the largest area rectangle that can be drawn under the curve. Operating a Solar PV array at that voltage will produce maximum power

Stand Alone System – A Solar PV system that operates independently of the utility grid

Standard Test Conditions – Conditions under which a Solar PV module is typically tested in a laboratory

String – A number of Solar PV modules or Solar PV panels interconnected electrically in series to produce the operating voltage required by the load. (Also Solar Array)

System Operating Voltage – The voltage output of a Solar PV array under load. The system operating voltage is dependent on the load of batteries connected to the output terminals

Tilt Angle – The angle of inclination of a Solar PV collector measured from the horizontal

Thin Film Solar PV – A Solar PV cell that is made by depositing one or more thin layers (thin film) of Solar PV material on a substrate. The thickness range of such a layer is wide and varies from a few nanometres to tens of micrometers

Tracking Array – A Solar PV array that is mounted on a moveable structure that follows the path of the sun in order to maximise the array output

Triple Junction – Three extremely thin single junction cells, with different bandgaps, stacked on top of one another

Utility Interactive Inverter – An inverter that can function only when tied to the utility grid, and uses the prevailing line-voltage frequency on the utility line as a control parameter to ensure that the PV systems output is fully synchronised with the utility power

Wafer – A thin sheet of semiconductor material produced by mechanically slicing it from a single crystal or multicrystal ingot or casting

Zenith Angle – The angle between directly overhead and the line intersecting the sun. (90 degrees – zenith) is the elevation angle of the sun above the horizon

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